Drafting table



J. F. JOY

DRAFTING TABLE Sept. 22, 1953 Filed. Feb. 17, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. fase/@ph Joy.

' ATT Ex J. F. JOY

DRAFTING TABLE Sept. 22, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 17, 1948 IN VEN TOR.'

JasepZz @Joy BWM@ ,4T-a" l Sept. 22, 1 953 J. E. JOY 2,652,657

DRAFTING TABLE Filed Feb. 17, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR:

2150561222 @Jay 'Bm J ATTNEY.-

J. F. JOY

DRAFTING TABLE Sept. 22, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 17. 1948 y |.l I l l |I|VA| v1 I I II I.||| Il I I III I II d I I Illl., III

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Patented Sept. 22, 1953 NIT ED Eg DRAFTING TABLE Joseph. F..Joy', Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor` to- .Ioy Manufacturing Company,y Pittsburgh, Pai, a` corporation of.y Pennsylvania llllaims.` 1r This invention relates to drafting" tables and'v more particularly to an improvediuniversaldraft' ingtable capableof a wide' range- 'cf adjustment andhavingfnovel featuresv of construction'. The draftingftablevoffthe present invention, in ay preferred' embodiment, is providedwith a universall'y-tiltable` table top Awhich isV also adjustable in height so thatI the tableV top may be readily adjnstedt'o'enable the user to sitin a comfortable oi`ce'type swiveled' chair instead of aconventionaldraftsxnans stool. Due tothe universality ofthe-support ofthet'abletop, the work may be at alltimes within easy'reaoh of the draftsman. The table. topy is provided withv a topV panel or plate `of transparent' material. preferably a translucent'v plastic material, and'` may be'illuminated from beneath by a source oflight located in a light box beneath the table top to facilitate trac'- ing; In thepreferred-embodiment, closed storage compartments are arranged longitudinally at the sides' of the'table top andare fitted with removable rolls of large capacity for drawing or tracing paper whichv has its portion between the rolls passing across the translucent top of the table and the: rolled paper may be readily transferred from one roll to the other simplyby rotating the rollsto payoff from one end and to wind on the other. The compartment covers. when closed, are formedr to serve'as trays for draftsmens tools. Suitable looks are' provided for the rolls and the compartment covers to prevent unauthorized tampering; Suitable' roller shades are provided at' the-several sides ofthe table top and may be adjusted to block'out portions of the'illuminated top of the table so that only the portion in use is expose'dto the light source. The translucent plastic` top ofA the table may be composed of rela tively soft material to permit the insertion of thumb. tacksfin order to secure the drawing paperA firmly in' place on the working surface; The table feetY are equipped with adjustable roller casters" so thatY the feet may be elevated ontov the rollers to` facilitate movement' ofv the' table from place to place, andthe roller casters may be retracted within fthe feet to bring the latter rmly into contact with the floor when it is desired firmlyto locate the table in place.

An objectof the present invention is to provide an improved drafting table. Another object is to provide an improved universal drafting table havingA improvedv adjusting means whereby a relatively'wide range of adjustment of the table top is obtained. Yet another object is to provide improved storage meansfor the. drawing or tracing paper within the sides of the table top Z and 'includingV rolls of paper; whereby' the paper mayl pass over thetable top` and be transferred readily from onek roll to the other as it is used. A furtherobject is toprovide an improved drafting table havinga'transparent or translucent top and having a suitable light source associated therewith to facilitate tracing. I A still further Objectis to provideY an improved drafting table having improved means associated with the i1- luminated top of the table whereby portions of the-top may be blocked oi so-thatfonly the portion in use is exposed to the light source. Anothe robject is to providean improved translucent table top having a novel lighting arrangement kassociated therewith for illumination purposes.

A further Objectis to provide improved locking means for the paperv rolls andthe compartment covers to` prevent tampering byunauthorized persons. Still another object is to provide an improved draftingv table having'novel' 'combinations and arrangements of' parts. These and other objects and advantagesI of the invention will,` however, hereinafter more fully appear in the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings there is shown for purposes of illustration oneform which the invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the preferred illustrative embodiment ofthe improved universal drafting table.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View taken substantially' on line- 2'-2 through the table shown in Fig. 1 and illustrating structuralV details.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side View showing details of the table.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational'. view v of the table shownin Figs. 1 and2, withthe table top tilted.

Fig. 5. is an enlarged detail' vertical sectional view taken through one of the supporting feet, showingthe caster roller in operative position.

Fig. 6 isa horizontalsectional' view taken substantially online 6 6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7' is anY enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the plane of Fig. 2showing details of construction.

Fig. 8 is a detail horizontal sectional view through one ofthe paper rolls, showing details of the roll lock.. n

Fig'. 9`is a view similar to. Fig. 6, withtheV shades positioned to block out, portions of the illuminated table top.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged. detail` sectional view taken on line 9 9' of Fig. 4..

In this illustrative embodiment of the invention, as shown in the drawings, the improved universal drafting table is generally designated I and is preferably of a fabricated sheet metal construction. The table comprises a rectangular table top 2 tiltably mounted on an adjustable pedestal 3 supported by a tripod base 4. The table top comprises a rectangular frame 5 shaped to receive and support a transparent top plate or panel E preferably of translucent plastic material, and arranged beneath this transparent plate is a light box 'I of frustopyramidal form having its inner surface coated with a suitable light reflecting material. Disposed in the light box is a suitable light source, herein a battery of iiuorescent or other electric lamps 8 preferably arranged cornerwise in the light box and connectible by a conventional switch or plug cord to a suitable source of electricity whereby the table top may be illuminated. The light box 'I is rigidly secured at its wide end to the rectangular frame 5 and sup-- ports the rectangular frame and has, at its narrow end, a bottom bearing annulus or bearingV ring 9 swivelled on a bearing IIJ supported by a cylindric projection II extending upwardly on a tiltable support I2. The support I2 has an integral tubular portion I 3 in which is guidedl a plunger Ill pressed inwardly by a spring I5 and provided with a knurled handle I5, and this plunger is engageable with any one of a series of radial apertures I'I in the bearing ring 9 for locking the table top in its different swivelled positions with respect to the pedestal 3. The tiltable support I2 is pivoted at i8 on a transverse pivot pin I9 supported at its ends within a yokelike portion herein secured as by welding to the upper end of the pedestal. The swivel axis of the table top is substantially perpendicular to the pivotal axis of the support. The pedestal has an adjustable vertical tubular post 2| telescopically arranged within a lower tubular support 22, herein arranged centrally on the tripod base 4. The post 2| has secured thereto, as by welding, a lateral lug 23 supporting a pivot member 24 engaged by a rotatable adjusting screw 25 provided with a knurled handle 26, and this screw is threaded withm a pivoted nut 2'! carried by depending lugs 28 integral with the support I2, as shown in Fig, 4. The knurled handles I6 and 26 of the plunger lock I4 and the adjusting screw 25 are conveniently located so that the draftsman may readily and easily adjust the table top as desired while in seated position.

The elevation of the table top may be adjusted in various manners, herein preferably by an adjusting screw 3B coaxial with the pedestal at the bottom thereof and having a knurledl handle SI and threadedly engaging a nut 32, the latter herein formed integral with the bottom of the tubular pedestal member 22; and this screw rotatably engages at 33 the bottom of'Y the tubular post 2I of the pedestal. Thus, by a simple adjustment of the screw 30, the post 2| of the pedestal may be adjusted vertically relative to the lower tubular support 22 to vary the length of the pedestal to change the height of the table top. The tripod base has three diverging legs 35 secured, as by welding, to the lower tubular support 22 and provided with floor engaging feet 36. These feet are of inverted cuplike shape and, in their hollow interiors, house roller casters 31 which are retracted within the feet when the table is located in a rm v position. These roller casters have adjusting screws 38 provided with knurled handles 33 whereby the roller casters may be projected below the feet 35 to support the latter in elevated position off the floor to enable rolling of the table from place to place.

In this improved drafting table construction, the rectangular frame 5 of the table top 2 has closed storage compartments 4I, 4I extending longitudinally at its sides, as shown in Fig. 2, and suitably journaled in these compartments are rolls 42, 42 on which drawing or tracing paper is wound, and the portion of the paper intermediate these rolls passes over the illuminated top of the table. The rolls have suitable hand cranks 43 whereby the rolls may be rotated to effect transfer of the paper from one roll onto the other as the paper passing over the working surface vof the table top is used up. The compartments 4I have covers 44 hinged at 45 and which may be 'swung open to obtain access to the rolls 42 to permit removal of the used rolls and insertion of new rolls.

provided with suitable hinged covers. Guide anges 4'! having downwardly bent portions serve to guide the paper as it passes from one roll or extends toward the other roll, and the covers 44 have curved edges at 48 which, when the covers are closed, serve to further guide the paper and provide sufficient frictional contact with the paper to maintain the latter under.

slight tension so that its portion passing over the working surface of the table top is held flat and smooth. The adjacent top edges 49, at the inner sides of the compartments, are also rounded to permit movement of the paper smoothly thereover.

'I at the inner sides thereof, as shown in Fig. '7.

Extending across each inner side of the rollery shades and secured to the bottom of the reflector.. box are guides 52, with the upper surfaces of the guides for one pair of parallel rollers arranged at a slightly different higher level from the other pair, so that the shades are adequately guided at their side edges as they are drawn off of their rolls. cross section in Fig. 7. be extended from four directions beneath the illuminated top of the table surface to block out portions thereof so that only the portion in use is exposed to the light source (Fig. 8). It

will be evident that by properly positioning the` shades, any desired portion of the transparent plate 6 may be exposed to the light source. Also arranged at the lower inner side of the table tcp in adjacency to the hand cranks 33 of the paper rolls are relatively small cable winding drums 53, 54, 55 and 56 respectively having cables 5'1,V

58, 59 and 6B wound thereon, and each is provided with a hand crank 6I. These cables are guided by appropriately located sheaves 52 journaled on the frame 5 within the light box onaxes perependicular to the plane top surface of the table, and the sides of the frame of the table top are cut away at 63 to permit the cables to be extended from the drums into the light box Thetops of these covers are recessed at 45 to provide Y; trays for receiving drafting tools and are also One of the guides 52 is shown in The roller shades may.-

around these guide sheaves. Each cable Winding drum` is provided. with. a conventionaliock 64 having; a' knurled. operating; handle 65 by which the locksl may be tightened to. hold the. drums firmly'against rotationwhen the. roller shadesare properly positioned. withfrespe'ct' to the table working surface.v Thus. theY several shades may be.v separately operated from convenient: points near the draftsmans side of' the. table.

To prevent tampering of the drawings by. unauthorized persons, the paper rolls and., cornpartmentcovers areprovided with locks. The covers M- of the roll-compartments l are provided with locks. lil, as shown most clearly in Fig. 7. Each cover has a bracket l having a slot for` receiving a lockv boltY 'ir contained a lock case '13 securedY tothe middle-portion of the adjacent side of the rectangular frame '5 and in which a key 74 is insertable. Thus, the compartment covers may be rmiy locked in closed position, and the locks may be readily released by the key which is in the custody of the draftsman in charge or" the drawing table. The covers for the trays may be provided with similar locks, if desired.

Ihe paper rolls 42 contained in the compartments lil are also each provided with a lock 'i5 which is shown most clearly in Fig. 8. In this construction, the paper roll has a shaft I6 surrounded by a tubular body l1 on which the paper is wound. Secured tothe end wall of the compartment, within the latter, is a lock case i8. The shaft has a key-receiving slot it in which a key 8f3 is insertable. The hand crank d3 has carried by its hub a series of tumblers 18E, which project into the shaft-slot i9 to lock the paper roll against rotation. When the key is turned,

these tumblers are ejected from the shaft-slot to release the paper roll. Thus, the drawing paper may be Wound up on the rolls, as desired, and the rolls may be iirmly locked in position, and the rolls may be unlocked only by the person in authority who retains custody of the key. If desired, the same key may be used to lock both the compartment and tray covers and the paper rolls. Evidently, various other types of locking means for the rolls and covers may be employed.

As a result of this invention, an improved universal drafting table is provided wherein the table top may be adjusted through a relatively wide range tosuit the convenience of the draftsman working at the table. By the provision of the transparent table top and the associated light source, the table top may be illuminated to facilitate tracing. The translucent plastic top of relatively soft composition enables insertion of thumb tacks in the top for holding the paper firmly in place over the working surface. The novel arrangement of the paper storage rolls within compartments at the sides of the table enables the drawing or tracing paper to be passed over the top or the table working surface between the rolls and be readily transferred from one roll to the other as the paper is used. The provision of the locks for the paper rolls and cornpartment covers prevents tampering by unauthcrized persons. Further, the provision of the roller shades for blocking out portions of the illuminated surface of the table tcp enables exposure of only the portion of the transparent surface being used to the light source. The tripod base with its door engaging feet enables the table to be firmly positioned on the iioor, and the projectible caster wheels enable the feet to be elevated. onto'the wheels tn; permit easyv rolling of the. table. from. place toplace. The improved table is not: only.y easily adjustable; toi the. desired position, but is also relatively. simple and rugged in construction.. The mannersV of use and other advantages ofl the invention will be clearly apparent to those skilled.' in the. art.

While there. is: in. this application specifically describedl one form which the invention may assume in practice', it will. be understood that this forni' of the same is shown for purposes of illustration. and. that the invention may be modiiied and embodied in various other forms without departing fromV its spiritY or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desireto secureby Letters Patent is:

1. In a drafting table, the combination comprising a table top having a transparent top plate providing a plane working surface and alight source beneath said plate, separateroller shades coextensive with the sides of said top plate and located between said plate. and. said light. source and adapted to be drawn at' different distances toward the center of said working surface relative to said illuminated top plate for blocking out any desired portions thereof so that only the portion in use is exposed to the light source, and manually actuated means including operating elements located near and operable from the forward side of the table and operatively connected to said shades respectively for separately adjusting the latter.

2. In a drafting table, the combination cornprising a table top having a transparent top plate providing a plane Working surface and a light source beneath said plate, separate roller shades substantially coextensive with the sides of said working surface and located beneath said top plate between the latter and said light source, one shade extending longitudinally along each side of the table top, and said shades adapted to be drawn relative to said illuminated top plate at diiferent distances toward the center thereof for blocking out different portions of said plate over the entire area thereof so that only the portion in use is exposed to the light source, and manually actuated means including operating elements located near and operated from the forward side of the table and operatively connected to said shades respectively for separately adjusting the latter.

3. In a drafting table, the combination comprising a table top having a transparent top plate providing a plane working surface and a light source beneath said plate, separate roller shades substantially coextensive with the sides of said working surface and located beneath said top plate between the latter and said light source, one shade extending longitudinally along each side of the table top and said shades adapted to be drawn relative to said illuminated top plate toward the center thereof for blocking out any desired portions of said plate so that only the portion in use is exposed to the light source, and operating means for said shades including operating elements individual thereto and arranged remotely therefrom and operatively connected to said shades respectively for independently drawing said shades from points near the draftsmans side of the table.

4. In a drafing table, the combination comprising a table top including a rectangular frame shaped to receive a transparent top plate providing a plane working surface, a light box secured to said frame beneath said top plate and containing a source of light for illuminating said plate, separate roller shades arranged in said light box substantially coextensive with the sides of the working surface and beneath said plate between the latter and said light source, said roller shades extending longitudinally along the sides of said box and adjustable to block out any desired portion of the working surface of said i1- luminated plate so that only the portion in use is exposed to said light source, and devices operable at will from the forward side of the table and connected to said shades respectively for individually adjusting the latter, said adjusting devices in- Number cluding operating elements extending from the 15 exterior of said frame inwardly beneath said top plate.

JOSEPH F. JOY.

References Cited. in the le of this patent Number Name Date Folmer Aug. 1, Kastner Mar. 16, Dick Dec. 14, Fraser Mar. 10, Shoemaker Dec. 7, Brasseur Sept. 4, Bishop Apr. 2, Clausen Nov. 8, Failey Mar. 27, Stallings Mar. 11, Darby June 6, McKinney June 6,

FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Germany Sept. 28, 

